Royal Oak bullmastiffs return to Westminster Kennel Club Show

Sunday, February 10, 2013

FYIEighty-three dogs from Michigan will compete at the 137th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Show on Monday and Tuesday, Feb. 11-12. On Monday night the hound, toy, nonsporting and herding groups will be judged. On Tuesday night, sporting, working and terrier groups will be judged and Best in Show selected. Live TV coverage for the groups will be 8-11 p.m. Monday on CNBC, and 8-11 p.m. Tuesday on USA. Both days, streaming video of breed judging will be available at www.westminsterkennelclub.org.

By Judy Ann JacobsSpecial to The Daily Tribune

Bullmastiffs Pablo and Soleil, the constant, affectionate companions of Tony Scully of Royal Oak, will be among 2,677 dogs — representing 187 breeds and varieties — competing Monday and Tuesday at the prestigious 137th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Show at Madison Square Garden in New York.

Both canines are American Kennel Club grand champions and are Canadian and International champions. Scully, their owner and co-breeder, has handled them to their titles. He has had bullmastiffs since 1982.

Pablo is AKC Grand Champion Newcastle’s Picturesque Picasso. He’s the top winning bullmastiff of his breed. It’s his fourth time at Westminster. The 5 1/2-year-old red fawn canine tips the scales at 135 pounds and is 26 1/2 inches tall. Pablo, who will be handled by Sarah Karger of Chicago, is co-owned with Kathy Spencer of Royal Oak. He’s also a therapy dog, and he has sired five champions. His co-breeder is Donna Pendleton of Akron, Ohio.

Soleil, Grand Champion Newcastle’s Blame It On The Sun, is the top winning female bullmastiff. She’s 3 1/2 years old, deep red, weighs 120 pounds and is 25 1/2 inches tall. This is Soleil’s second time at Westminster. Scully will handle her in the ring. Soleil is also a Best in Show winner. Her co-breeder is Dr. James and Marilyn Schaap of Reno, Nevada.

The dogs are a hobby for Scully, who’s a physical therapy assistant.

“Pablo is a thinking bullmastiff,” Scully says. “He figures things out. He has charisma, and he gets along with everybody. Soleil is playful, likes to retrieve toys and is very athletic.”

Scully also is the breeder and co-owner of Bravo, a 22-month-old bullmastiff who’s making his debut at Westminster. Bravo, who competes as Champion Newcastle’s Standing Ovation, lives with co-owners Julia and Jeff Hornshaw of Ann Arbor.

Another Oakland County canine competing is a Shetland sheepdog, Grand Champion Leigh-Hi’s Manhattan, owned by Patti and James O’Dell of Auburn Hills.

At the Westminster Show, breeds will be judged during the day. One winner from each breed will compete in its group. Each of the seven group winners compete for Best in Show. Group judging, is at night and will be televised.

Bullmastiffs are in the working groups. They are being judged Tuesday.